Ebi Mayo (Japanese Prawns in Creamy Mayonnaise Sauce)
Crisp cornflour-coated prawns tossed in a light, tangy mayonnaise sauce with a touch of lemon, a popular izakaya and takeaway favourite.
Made with Homemade mayonnaise. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.71 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pat the prawns very dry with kitchen paper. Toss them in the cornflour with a pinch of salt until evenly coated, shaking off any excess.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix your ready made homemade mayonnaise (see the base recipe) with the lemon juice, rice vinegar and sugar. Set aside.
- 3
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or wok to 180C. A cube of bread should brown in about 30 seconds.
- 4
Fry the prawns in two batches for 2 to 3 minutes, until pale golden and crisp and curled. Drain on kitchen paper.
2 min 30 s - 5
Tip the hot prawns into the mayonnaise sauce and toss quickly to coat. The heat of the prawns will warm the sauce slightly.
- 6
Scatter over the spring onions and serve straight away with hot rice.
Tips
- Dry prawns are key. Wet prawns steam instead of crisp, and the cornflour turns gluey.
- Toss in the sauce just before serving. If left to sit, the coating softens.
- For a spicy version, stir a teaspoon of sriracha or chilli sauce into the mayonnaise.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten immediately, as the coating goes soft. Leftovers keep 1 day in the fridge but are best not reheated.
Questions
Can I bake the prawns instead of frying?
Yes. Toss them in cornflour and a little oil, spread on a hot tray and roast at 220C for 8 to 10 minutes. They will be less crisp but still tasty.
What if my prawns are cooked?
Cooked prawns will not crisp well, so use raw king prawns. If you only have cooked, toss them straight in the sauce and serve with rice without frying.
Is it gluten free?
Yes. Cornflour and mayonnaise are gluten free, but check your rice vinegar. It is dairy free and nut free.
More made with homemade mayonnaise
Salade Piémontaise (French Potato Salad with Ham, Egg and Gherkins)
GFDFNFEgg Mayonnaise Jacket Potatoes with Spring Onion and Cress
DFNFVGochujang Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Kimchi Slaw
NFTorta de Pollo con Chipotle (Mexican Chipotle Chicken Sandwich)
DFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.